SPIRITUAL GIFTS
An Introduction
by Max Frazier, Jr.
Back in the late 1970's and early 1980's, the subject of spiritual gifts became a prominent one within evangelical circles. One could hardly walk within any Christian bookstore and not become overwhelmed with the multitude of titles available on the subject. It seemed that every pastor, including this author, preached a series on how people could discover their spiritual gift. Several inventories or assessments were created with the purpose of assisting in this discovery process. At times I felt like a person with incredible insight and power as people came to my study hoping that I would tell them what gift God had given to them. I could tell them that they could become teachers or serve on the hospitality committee or even should consider becoming an elder.
Why the sudden interest in spiritual gifts in those days? you might be asking. I believe that it was a result of the awareness of the concept of the Church being a body. Dr. Ray Stedman's book titled, Body Life, was very influential in helping people to come to the realization that God had a role for each person within the Church, and that the health and vitality of the Church depended upon each person accomplishing that role. Furthermore, God gave enablement through the spiritual gifts. Thus, if a person was to truly become a part of the "body life" of his or her church, then he or she needed an understanding of that particular spiritual gift or gifts he or she possessed.
But, as with many other Christian fads, this one soon wore off and the focus was upon something else and those titles and inventories we had come to depend upon became out of print. One was left with the feeling that the subject of spiritual gifts did not have that great importance which we had first thought.
In the first of two articles concerning the subject of spiritual gifts, There Will Never Be Another You, we will seek to ascertain the importance of the spiritual gifts and answer some of the questions most asked about them.
In To Cease or Not to Cease? our focus will be upon whether any of the spiritual gifts have ceased to function in the ministry of the Church today. This doctrine of cessationism has a tremendous impact upon the teachings of the Church.
It is not the intent of these articles to be an exhaustive study of the subject of spiritual gifts. Books have been written for this purpose. But it is the intent to revive a subject which has laid dormant for too long. It is time to be reminded of what the Bible has to say about this important role of the Holy Spirit as the giver of gifts to God's people. I do not claim to have all the answers, but will share from my own personal ministry experience. Thus I would welcome your feedback. You can contact me at village@gospelcom.net.
Return to The Philogian Archive There Will Never Be Another You To Cease or Not to Cease?
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